We’re decentralizing Edo health system, enhancing access to quality healthcare, says Obaseki

By Isaac Olamikan

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is pursuing the decentralization of the healthcare system in the state and ensuring the expansion of healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities so as to guarantee access to quality, efficient and affordable healthcare to every resident.

The governor, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said ongoing reforms in the state’s health sector will strengthen the system and ensure the upgrade of primary healthcare centres in the state, equipping them with world-class equipment and manpower to provide first-rate health services to Edo people

Noting that the government has embarked on a massive expansion of the Central Hospital in Benin City to conform to a 21st Century healthcare centre, Obaseki said the state is actualising its plan to have at least one primary healthcare centre in every ward in Edo with well-trained staff and technology that tracks the quality of service rendered.

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Reinstating that his administration will sustain investment in the health sector and ensure that mechanisms are put in place to discourage manpower for healthcare delivery from leaving the country, the governor added, “We are rethinking the healthcare provision arrangements with the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme that we have put in place as we expect more healthcare investment coming into the healthcare space.

“We are putting money into healthcare services, expanding the specialist hospital, and rebuilding a whole medical hub around the Stella Obasanjo Hospital. We are getting investors to invest in these hospitals and creating more opportunities in the sector. We will sustain efforts at improving the quality of healthcare services rendered to Edo people,” he reassured.